Ten films to look out for at Glasgow Film Festival 2022

Returning for its eighteenth year, Glasgow Film Festival is back from 2^nd to13^th March. And with a programme brimming with upcoming talent, festival darlings and entries from all around the world, there really is something for everyone.

Moreover, this year not only sees the return of in-person screenings for audiences but the opening and closing galas will also likewise be screened in select cinemas across the entire UK.

From emotionally charged dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies and frightening affairs, these are just a small selection of the highlights that can be discovered at Glasgow Film Festival this year.

The Outfit (2^nd – 3^rd March)

Kicking off the festivities this year is The Outfit. Dubbed as a Coen Brothers’ style comedy, this tale of violence of murder already made waves at Berlinale earlier this year, and now UK audiences get their chance to see what all the excitement is about. The directorial debut from Graham Moore – the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Imitation Game – The Outfit sees a tailor for the Chicago mob (Mark Rylance) find himself entangled in a web of deceit and violence when a knock at the door turns his life upside down.

Adult Adoption (8^th – 9^th March)

Written by and starring Ellie Moon, Adult Adoption sees Moon as Rosy, a 25-year-old bank teller who “aged out” of the foster care system when she turned 18. She’s managed to create a stable life for herself, though the absence of a parental bond has left part of her feeling empty. To fill this void, she uses an online service designed to connect older adults with adult surrogate children, and from here Rosy embarks on a quirky and heartfelt journey to find that piece of her life she’s been missing.

Anaïs in Love (8^th – 11^th March)

A welcome contender for this year’s Audience Award, Anaïs in Love is the feature debut from Charline Bourgeois-Taquet. Pitched as Greta Gerwig meets Eric Rohmer, this irresistibly charming feature sees Anaïs Demoustier star as a happy-go-lucky woman who couldn’t care less that her rent is overdue, or her thesis remains incomplete. However, her life is about to change when she meets successful writer Emilie (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi). Gradually, their relationship transforms into something more meaningful in this joyous and witty romance.

The Cellar (12^th March)

It wouldn’t be Glasgow Film Festival without the return of FrightFest, a weekend-long smorgasbord of genre delights. This year, horror fans will want to turn their attention to The Cellar. Helmed by acclaimed Irish filmmaker Brendan Muldowney, this brooding supernatural affair with a Lovecraftian flavour sees the Woods family’s new life in the country descend into a waking nightmare when their daughter mysteriously vanishes into the cellar. Not long after, the couple realise their home is being manipulated by an ancient and evil entity.

La Civil (8^th – 12^th March)

When Cielo’s (Arcelia Ramìrez) daughter is kidnapped, he’s approached to pay a ransom. However, the desperate father instead takes it upon himself to play detective to track her down. It’s a journey that will take him deep into the criminal underbelly of Mexico as he holds onto the hope that she could still be found. In La Civil, director Teodora Mihai has succeeded in crafting a gripping and multi-layered thriller that’s said to be based on a true story. After gaining rave reviews from Cannes, UK audiences can catch La Civil in its UK premiere.

Love, Life and Goldfish (6^th – 7^th March)

A dazzling and vibrant feel-good musical from Japan, Yukinori Makabe’s Love, Life and Goldfish sees big city banker Makoto (Matsuya Onoe) demoted following an outburst at work and transferred to a small country town. It’s here he meets and falls head-over-heels for a woman who works in a local goldfish scooping store. But for Makoto to woo the woman of his dreams, he first must contend with other potential suitors. Set to a bombastic J-pop soundtrack, Love, Life and Goldfish is set to be an uplifting cinematic experience.

Time of Impatience (9^th – 10^th March)

In the sweltering summer heat, two brothers want nothing more than to take a dip in the local swimming pool. However, there’s a problem: the pool is within a guarded apartment complex and they’re not allowed in, but they’re not going to let anything stand in their way. Brilliantly funny and clever, Aydin Orak’s Time of Impatience is, on one hand, a delightful comedy, and on the other, a thoughtful contemplation of classism through the eyes of two youngsters.

Ashgrove (3^rd – 4^th March)

Starring The Handmaid’s Tale’s Brugel, filmmakers Jeremy LaLonde and Jonas Chernick’s Ashgrove takes place in the midst of a global pandemic which has affected the world’s water. Brugel plays a leading scientist in search of a cure, but when everything gets too much for her, she retreats to the countryside with her husband. This wasn’t the break she was hoping for, however, as she soon suspects that her husband is keeping secrets from her. Ashgrove makes its world premiere at Glasgow Film Festival.

Once Upon a Time in Uganda (5^th – 6^th March)

Ugandan filmmaker Isaac Nabwana is best known for his ultra-low budget action films like Who Killed Captain Alex? Over the years, he’s made dozens of films in his hometown of Wakagala, which has since become known as Wakaliwood. Taken by his work, Alan Hofmanis moves to Uganda and strikes up a friendship and working relationship with Nabwana. However, as viral fame sets in, the pair are forced to confront what it means to be successful. Once Upon a Time in Uganda is a testament to filmmaking from director Cathryne Czubek.

Murina (13^th March)

Closing the festival this year is Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s Murina. Set on an idyllic Croatian island, youngster Julija (Gracie Filipović) appears to be living the dream, or what would be if it weren’t for her domineering father, Ante (Leon Lučev). But when his wealthy friend (Cliff Curtis) visits to hopefully close a deal, tensions begin to grow between the family. A history between Ante’s wife (Danica Čurčić) coupled with Julija’s coming-of-age is set to meet on a collision course with an ever-determined Ante.

Andrew Murray

Tickets for Glasgow Film Festival are on sale now. More screenings and further details on how to access them can be found on the festival’s website.